Market Outlook • Dates (Phoenix dactylifera)
India Dates Market 2025–26: Prices, Imports & Ramadan Demand
Quick answer: Expect firm pricing for Ajwa, Medjool, Safawi, and Mazafati into early 2026. Plan inventory for Ramadan 2026 expected to begin the evening of Tue, Feb 17 in India (first fast likely Wed, Feb 18), subject to local moon sighting1. Re-check labels against the latest FSSAI Labelling & Display Regulations and note that amendments typically take effect on July 1 each year2–3.
Deep dives: Ajwa benefits & sourcing • Medjool vs Mazafati (bulk) • Safawi wholesale guide
Global production snapshot: Egypt leads; Saudi captures premium demand
Global date output remains concentrated across MENA. The latest cross-source rankings keep Egypt at #1 by tonnage, followed by Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iran, and Iraq4–5. This hierarchy anchors harvest expectations for 2025–2028 planning and helps Indian importers anticipate supply windows for premium cultivars.
Premium-grade value capture is strongest out of Saudi Arabia (Ajwa, Safawi), while North Africa (Algeria/Tunisia) and the Middle East (Jordan/Palestine) are key for Medjool. Oman continues to anchor value and semi-soft styles.
Top producers (indicative ranking)
| Rank | Country | Production signal | Why importers care |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | Largest by tonnage | Benchmark for supply elasticity |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | Premium export growth | Price leadership for Ajwa/Safawi |
| 3 | Algeria | Strong North Africa base | Diversifies Medjool sourcing |
| 4 | Iran | Mazafati seasonality | Fresh/cold-chain timing |
| 5 | Iraq | Large legacy orchards | Volume balancing |
Signal: Tighter premium grades (Ajwa, Large/Jumbo Medjool) lift offers 6–10 weeks pre-Ramadan; Omani lots stabilize entry price points.
India import & trade overview: volumes, partners & value
India relies on imports for premium varieties—Ajwa, Safawi, Medjool, and Mazafati. In 2023, India imported 490,589 tonnes of dates worth US$267.18 million under HS 0804106. The global dates trade in 2023 totaled about US$2.23 billion7.
| Partner | Value (US$M) | Qty (tonnes) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 120.7 | 156,164 | Re-export hub; mixed grades |
| Iraq | 81.0 | 224,777 | Large volume/value lots |
| Iran | 37.5 | 85,997 | Mazafati (cold-chain) |
| Saudi Arabia | 10.0 | 10,391 | Ajwa/Safawi premium |
| Oman | 5.0 | 3,812 | Value semi-soft styles |
Method note: WITS/UN Comtrade values reflect customs records; UAE figures often include re-exports.
Price watch: Ajwa, Medjool, Omani, Safawi, Mazafati
Channel checks around Navi Mumbai APMC and national wholesalers indicate steady-to-firm pricing into Q4-2025 and early 2026. Published local references show Ajwa wholesale bands often around ₹800–₹1,200/kg (grade/pack dependent)8–9. Cold-chain and grade selection keep Mazafati elevated; Omani lots underpin value ladders.
| Variety | Supply Signal | Price Bias | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajwa (SA) | Tight-to-steady | ⬆︎ | Festive/gifting pull |
| Safawi (SA) | Steady | ⬆︎ | Premium look, lower than Ajwa |
| Medjool (ME/NA) | Tight | ⬆︎ | Jumbo/Large scarcity |
| Omani | Ample | ⬌ | Anchor for price ladders |
| Mazafati (IR) | Seasonal | ⬆︎ | Cold-chain logistics |
Action: Lock Ramadan-facing assortments by December 2025; prioritize 250–500 g gifting SKUs and 1 kg pantry packs.
Festivals & Ramadan 2026 (India): inventory timing that wins
In India, Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, Feb 17 with the first fasting day likely on Wednesday, Feb 18, subject to local moon sighting1. Retailers typically see a build-up in premium date sales 4–8 weeks prior and a second surge during gifting in the final 10 nights.
Seasonal demand cues beyond Ramadan
- Diwali 2025 (Oct/Nov): Gift boxes featuring Ajwa/Safawi assortments perform well.
- Winter tourism (Oct–Dec): Oman showcases Omani varieties—useful for supplier scouting.
Regulatory watch: FSSAI Labelling & Display checks
Packaged dates must comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling & Display) Regulations, 2020 and subsequent amendments. Ensure labels show product name, vegetarian logo, FSSAI license, net quantity, date/lot, nutrition (per 100 g), storage instructions (refrigeration guidance for high-moisture dates like Mazafati), importer details, and customer care; e-commerce PDPs must display mandatory particulars (with limited exceptions for batch/expiry before delivery)2–3.
Checklist: Re-audit labels whenever you change pack size, supplier origin, or add a new variety. Plan artwork updates ahead of July 1—the fixed annual go-live for FSSAI amendments—to reduce print waste3.
Buying playbook for Indian retailers (Q3-2025 to Q1-2026)
1) Lock premium Saudi grades early
Forward-buy Ajwa and Safawi by December. Bundle premium assortments for Ramadan pre-sales and corporate gifting.
2) Balance with Omani value lots
Use Omani semi-soft packs as the price anchor. Cross-merchandise with nuts and pantry staples to lift basket size.
3) Treat Mazafati as fresh
Higher moisture demands cooler storage and faster rotation. Position for desserts and suhoor packs; communicate refrigeration on-shelf and online PDPs.
4) Optimize pack-mix and margins
| Segment | Pack Sizes | Target Margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (Value) | 250 g / 500 g | 15–20% | Omani, Deri |
| Core (Gifting) | 500 g / 1 kg | 18–25% | Ajwa, Safawi |
| Premium | 500 g / 1 kg | 20–28% | Medjool (Large/Jumbo), Mazafati |
5) Communicate provenance & quality
On PDPs and shelf-talkers, highlight origin (e.g., Medina for Ajwa; Bam, Kerman for Mazafati), grade, and storage guidance. This builds trust and justifies premium tiers.
FAQs: India Dates Market 2025–26
What is the expected Ajwa price trend in India for 2026?
Upward bias through early 2026 driven by Ramadan demand and premium-grade tightness.
When will Ramadan 2026 likely start in India?
Expected evening start on Tue, Feb 17, 2026, with first fast likely Wed, Feb 18; subject to moon sighting.
Which HS Code covers dates imports into India?
HS 080410 covers dates.
How should Mazafati dates be stored at retail?
Handle as a high-moisture, fresh product: maintain cold chain and communicate refrigeration on packs and PDPs.
What must appear on FSSAI-compliant date labels?
Product name, net quantity, vegetarian logo, FSSAI license, nutrition (per 100 g), lot/date, storage guidance, importer details, and customer care (plus e-commerce display of mandatory particulars).
Footnotes & sources
- Ramadan 2026 expected to begin evening Tue, Feb 17; first day likely Wed, Feb 18 (subject to moon sighting). See guidance from humanitarian and logistics calendars.
- FSSAI Labelling & Display Regulations (compendium/official PDF).
- FSSAI set July 1 as the annual go-live date for implementing amendments to labelling rules.
- Producer rankings cross-checked from commodity intelligence aggregations (2023 data).
- FAO-sourced league tables corroborate Egypt/Saudi/Algeria/Iran/Iraq at the top.
- India 2023 imports (HS 080410): US$267.18M; 490,589 tonnes; top partners UAE, Iraq, Iran, Saudi, Oman.
- Global trade value for dates, 2023: ~US$2.23B.
- Illustrative Ajwa wholesale price bands referenced from Mumbai-region sources (grade dependent).
- Additional local APMC price references for Mumbai/Navi Mumbai context.
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